Roof-truss



(No Model.) Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. C. HODGES. R00? TRUSS.

No. 457,418. 4Patented Aug. 11, 1'891.

INNER ELEl/AT/UN..

.SIUE ELEVATIUN..

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet s. H. C. HODGES.

ROOF TRUSS Patented Aug. 11, 1891.

PLAN..

ill/[MES SES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY O. HODGES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

ROOF-TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,418, dated August 11, 1891.

Application iiled June 19, 1890.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. HoDGEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, Statel of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful 1mprovement in Root -Trussesg and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of thesame, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Inv the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the roof-truss embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 isa separate view of the parts constituting the iitting at the point where the roof-truss joins the coping or wall. Fig. 3 is a separate view of the joints where the uprights or compression members of the truss join I the upper element ot' thel rootgirder. Fig. et is a separate View of the titting at the base of said upright posts. Fig. 5 is a separate View of the parts constituting thefitting at the apex of the truss. Fig. 6 illustrates the cap-piece provided with fillingblocks made integral therewith for receiving corrugated metal roof-sheets at the apex of lthe truss and showing over the end elevation the two sloping sections of corrugated roofing superposed thereon and a covering-piece over the joint and comb-pipe in place. Fig. 7 shows a detached section of corrugated rooting fitted upon the purlins.

It is the purpose of my invention to improve the construction of metallic rooftrusses, and in illustrating my said roof l represent the upper inclined elements or girders proper of the roof as ot pipe. The purlins are also represented as of pipe or rod.

My invention consists, essentially, in the fittings at different points. throughout the truss, which said iittings are eachkmade in two parts adapted for and to be clamped upon the meeting cylindrical pipe or rod elements, and in other features of construction which will be hereinafter speciiied and claimed.

In carrying out my invention, Arepresents the rafter elements or the upper elements of the roof-truss.

B represents the posts or uprights, the said.

Serial No. 355,999. (No model.)

elements A and B being compression members; C, the main strain-rods of `each rafter; C', the subordinate straining-rods or counterbraces, and C2 a tie brace or rod, which said elements C, C', and C2 are extension members.

D represents the fitting at the end of .the truss where it joins the-wall or coping; E, the fitting at the apex of the truss; F, the iitting at the upper end of the struts or posts, and G the iittings at the lower ends of the struts or posts.

H represents the roof-purlins.

The fitting D is composed, essentially, of two parts D D2. They are each provided with semi-cylindrical cavities d for the reception of the lower end of the pipe or rod rafter A, and with bolt-holes d for the passage of bolts whereby the parts are clamped together.

cl2 is an orifice for the passage of a large bolt designed to receive the ends of the clevis c of the straining-rod C. It is placed, preferably, in line with the middle of the rafter A, so as to assist the fitting to sustain the thrust of the rafter.

d3 is a plate formed integral with the casting D D2. It is adapted to rest flat upon the coping and may also project downward upon the interior of the wall, as shown, to insure a firm snug bearing.

h is a semi-cylindrical cavity adapted to receive the purlin H.

h is a semi-cylindrical cap adapted to fit over the purlin, and a bolt h2 may pass down through the purlin and the flange of the seat beneath in order to hold all the parts irmly in place. The plates d3 may also be provided with suitable orifices for the reception of anchor-bolts d4 for anchoring the truss to the wal The -fittings F at the top of the struts are made in like manner of sections F F2. Each is provided with a semi-cylindrical cavity f for the ratter A and With a semi-cylindrical cavity f for the end of the upright B.

At f 2 a cavity is lett for the eyes at .the ends Y IOO parts F F2 of the fitting together. There may also, if desired, be bolt-holes for inde-` n or strut and with a cavity g for the reception of the eyes of the straining-rods G, C', and C2, and a bolt-hole g2 is provided for the bolt designed to pass through the said eyes. Of course any one or more of the said rods may be clevised upon the outside of the said fitting and upon the said bolt instead of passing into the recess between the two plates. The said clevised bolt may serve to hold the parts of the plate together, or there may be independent clamping-bolts for holding the parts together. Thus, for instance, in each of the said fittings there may be bolts d5 passing through the two plates and through the element of the truss that enters and is clamped by the said plates. The fitting Eat the apex of the truss is of' like construction and consists of parts E E2. Each part is provided With semi-cylindrical cavities e for the reception of the rafters A. A cavity e is provided for the reception of the eyes at the upper ends of the straining-rods C, and a bolthole e2 is adapted to receive the bolt which takes the strain of the strain-rods.

e3 represents a bolt-hole for the reception of a clamping-bolt for clamping the parts of the fitting together. e4 represents ears provided With bolt-holes for a like purpose of clamping the parts of' the fitting together, and I would have it understood that similar ears and bolt-holes may be employed on the fittings F and G. This fitting E, like the fittings D and F, is provided With semi-cylindrical cavities h for the transverse pipe II', which constitutes the comb ot' the roof, and also with caps 7L and retaining-bolts h2 or other fastenings.

In the caps h', connected with the fittings D and F, I prefer, generally, that the upper'` side of the cap be adapted With a filling-piece like the filling-piece h3 to fit the corrngation in that portion of a corrugated roof structure which is to be superposed thereon, and the cap h at the apex may have an angular filling-.piece h3 made integral therewith, one branch of it fitting the corrngation upon one side of the roof and the other angle fitting a corresponding corrngation on the other slope of the root.

J represents the roof-sheets with corrugations j, and J is a covering-piece With corresponding corrugations, into which the fillingpiece h3 enters, and which covering-piece covers the union of the two sloping surfaces 1 of the roof, which unite at the comb. Should it be desired to interpose any other frame- This fitting is provided, the samer Work between the rafters A and the roof', these caps h may on their upper surfaces be made to properly iit and engage With any such super frame-work instead of being shaped to fit roof-corrugations.

OE course I do not limit myself to any particular -form of roof-truss, and the construction of the fittings is equally Well adapted for other forms of truss, Whether for roofs or other purposes, and I would have it understood that my claims contemplate such employment of the said improvement and any necessary changes in form which adapt the said fittings for any particular location.

What I claim isl. The combination, with a roof-truss at its apex, of a two-part casting adapted to embrace the ends of the meeting members and clamp upon them by unitingbolts,eaoh part of said casting provided .with a transverse curved socket for the reception of a transverse pipe to constitute the-comb of the roof, and a single cap adapted to cover said pipe'and unite both sections of said two-part fitting and having an angular filling-pieceh, adapted to fit into the corrugations of the cap-piece that joins the oppositely-sloping portions of the roof, Which unite at the comb, substan-V tially as described.

2. The combination, with a roof-truss, `of a two-part fitting at its extremity Where it rests on the Wall, shaped with semi-cylindrical cavities, whereby it is adapted to receive the eX- tremities of a cylindrical pipe or rod, compression member A, transverse bolts binding the parts together, said parts provided with a transverse semi-cylindrical seat adapted to receive a cylindrical pipe or rod purlin, and a semi-cylindrical cap uniting both said parts and binding said pipe or rod in place, sub stantially as described.

3. The combination, with a roof-truss, of cylindrical pipes or rods constituting .its compression members A, and two-part fittings F, each provided with semi-cylindrical cavities whereby they embrace the member A, also `with transverse semi-cylindrical cavities for the reception of a cylindrical pipe or rod purlin, and each with a single semi-cylindrical cap adapted to clamp the said purlin into the cavity and unite the two-part tting, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a roof-truss, of compression Inembers A, consisting ot' cylindrical pipes or rods, two-part fittings with semicylindrical cavities at different points on-the length of each, adapted to receive and clamp said member, said fittings provided with transverse semi-cylindrical cavities for the reception of pipe or rod purlins H, and each provided With common caps h', and the latter having a filling-piece at its top adapted to receive and fill thev corrngation ot' a corrugated roofing sheet, substantially as described. l

5. A roof-truss in which all the compression and extension members are cylindrical pipes IOO or rods, combined with two-part Iittings at their points of junction, said fittings provided with semi-cylindrical cavities for the reception of said compression members, binding-bolts, transverse cylindrical cavities for purlins, likewise of cylindrical pipe or rod, Where the saine are joined thereto, and sernicylindrical caps adapted to bind said purlins in position on said two-part ttings, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the two-part fitting at the apex of the truss, adapted to ernbrace and sustain the meeting elements at this point, of a seat formed at the apex for the reception of a cylindrical pipe or rod purlin, and a cap, with filling-pieces or equivalent, adapted on its upper surface to fit the root-,

through the clamp and. the purlin and engaged with the fitting, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY C. HODGES. Witnesses:

M. A. REEVE, C. J. SHIPLEY. 

